Amazon has once again been slammed for conditions workers face in its warehouses after a robot in a US site popped a can of bear repellant, hospitalising 24 staff.

The incident, which took place yesterday at the Robbinsville fulfillment centre in New Jersey, involved an automated machine that “accidentally” punctured a 9-ounce can of what is effectively concentrated pepper spray.

Media - Reports - Bear - Repellant - Capsaican

According to media reports, the bear repellant is concentrated Capsaican, which is an irritant to mammals – as one would imagine for something meant to keep bears at bay.

The can is said to have been punctured by one of the automated machines Amazon uses in its massive warehouses – this one is about 1.3 million square feet – after it fell on to the floor.

Emergency - Services - Incident - ABC - News

The emergency services attended the incident, and ABC News reported that 24 staff were sent to hospital, with one in a critical condition, while a further 30 were treated at the scene.

Multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos’ online marketplace giant has come under repeated fire for the poor working conditions in its warehouses. In the UK there...